Fujifilm X-E2 preview: The fastest focusing mirrorless system camera on the market?

Succeeding the Fujifilm X-E1 mirrorless compact system camera -- a model that we fell in love with last year -- comes the Fuji X-E2, which boasts the next generation of the company's award-winning X-Trans sensor technology and a host of other upgrades. This latest X-series interchangeable lens camera not only now features built-in Wi-Fi for image sharing, complete with an Easy Transfer Button up top, but also improved video capabilities, including Full HD 1080p recording at 60 frames per second.

At the heart of the new X-E2 lies the 16.3-megapixel, APS-C-sized X-Trans CMOS II sensor that employs a proprietary color filter array (a pattern that's more randomized than the traditional Bayer array) and removes the optical low-pass filter to deliver sharper, higher resolution images. In addition, the X-Trans CMOS II (which was first introduced this year on the Fuji X100S) incorporates more than 100,000 phase detect pixels on the chip -- distributed on nearly 40% of the total area of the sensor -- which helps to accelerate autofocus performance in combination with the X-E2's EXR Processor II.

Fujifilm claims the X-E2's processing speed is twice as fast as its predecessor, and that its AF speed has been significantly improved. Specifically, the company says that the X-E2 has a start-up time of 0.5s (in high performance mode with the fast XF 27mm f/2.8 lens), shutter lag of 0.05s and high-speed continuous JPEG shooting of 7fps at full resolution (with a burst lasting up to 28 frames, when using an Class 10 SD memory card or higher). Moreover, Fujifilm claims the X-E2 has the segment's fastest AF time of 0.08s (against cameras with Four Thirds sensors or larger, in high performance mode with the XF 14mm f/2.8 lens). Though we're always wary about such claims, we're especially eager to test them out since one of our few gripes with the excellent Fuji X-E1 was its relatively sluggish AF and shot-to-shot performance.

As it previously did with the Fuji X100S, the company also claims the X-E2's APS-C X-Trans CMOS II sensor delivers image quality that rivals full-frame sensors. In our testing earlier this year of the X100S, we definitely saw that sensor definitely produces excellent results, though still a bit shy of full-frame quality (especially considering the difference in resolving power between the 16.3-megapixel and 20- to 30-megapixel full-frame models). Of note, Fujifilm has also added its Lens Modulation Optimizer technology to the X-E2 to reduce the effects of diffraction and other optical aberrations. Originally implemented on the X100S, it marks the first time the company has included this tech in one of its interchangeable lens cameras. Still, the sensitivity range for the X-E2 remains the same as the X-E1 at ISO 200 to 6400, and extended output at ISO 100, as well as ISO 12,800 and 25,600.

The X-E2 starts will be available in November 2013 for a body-only price of about US$1,000 in black or two-tone black and silver. A kit with the XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 lens will cost US$1,400.